Advice and Tools
For every step of your Ostomy Journey
SASS aims to advocate and align the standard of Stoma care and services across South Africa which will be applicable to both the private and public sectors.
Ostomy Care
Tips and Tricks
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is a Non-profit organization formed by Ostomates across Southern Africa to facilitate a “holistic” approach to ostomy patient care by bridging the gap between the private and public sectors whilst advocating for the rights of fellow ostomates throughout the country.
SASS VALUE STATEMENT
SASS is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of ostomates across South Africa. We strive to bridge the gap between private and public healthcare sectors, ensuring that all ostomates receive the highest standard of care.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive support, education, and resources to empower ostomates and their families, helping them navigate their new normal with confidence and dignity. By collaborating closely with clinicians and healthcare professionals, we ensure that our community receives expert care and guidance.
Aligning with global standards set by The International Ostomy Association (IOA), we aim to foster a community where every ostomate feels supported, informed, and valued.
Featured Topics
For Living with a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy
Help us achieve
What we set out to achieve with YOUR help
GET EDUCATED
Medically reviewed surgery-specific information. Making sure you have access to the best possible care. Ostomy pouch management tips, diet & nutrition, skincare, sexuality, travel tips and more!
FEEL SUPPORTED
Support to you & your family whilst you transition into your new normal. You will have access to a local peer support group, where you can get answers to questions, or connect with our Facebook community.
BE AN ADVOCATE
We aim to advocate the standard of Stoma care across private and public sectors, whilst aligning with the global standards set out by The International Ostomy Association (IOA).
Meet Our Featured Speaker | CNS Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome - CNS Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk, Founder of Imani Stoma and Wound Care Private Clinic’s, Stoma therapist and Advanced Wound Care Specialist, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
An internationally recognized Stomaltherapy & AWC Nurse, WCET Contributor, Educator, and pioneer of SA`s first Pediatric Stomaltherapy and Gastrostomy Clinic with Surgeons for Little Lives, she has dedicated her career to advancing patient care, education, and clinical excellence.
Presentation:
NPWT in the complicated open abdominal wound, managing fistulas as functioning ostomy, and ostomy as mucous fistula.
Join CNS Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk as she explores indications for NPWT in stoma-related wounds, NPWT around functioning stomas, Techniques to prevent leakage of exudate and effluent, managing fistulas and open abdominal wounds with stomas in a multidisciplinary team, Common complications and how to avoid them, Case based demonstrations. Differentiation between enterocutaneous fistula and entero- atmospheric fistula.
2–3 October 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Meet Our Featured Speaker | CNS PHD© Zhavandre Van Der Merwe
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome - CNS PHD© Zhavandre van der Merwe, Clinical Nurse Specialist and PHI Candidate, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
A PhD candidate at Murdoch University, Australia, and President of WHASA, with > 14 years of expertise in AWC. A respected clinician, researcher, educator, and international speaker, she is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice and improving outcomes for patients with complex wounds. Infection, Biofilm and Inflammation Control.
Presentation:
Infection, Biofilm & Inflammation control. Mastering the invisible barriers to healing.
Join CNS PHD© Zhavandre van der Merwe as she explores how to identify local versus systemic infections in new international guidelines. Nursing decision-making wrt wound swabs and antimicrobial stuartship. Recognizing and managing biofilm in wounds, what is the difference between antiseptic and antimicrobial dressings: evidence-based use. Preventing recurrent infection in high-risk patients.
When to use saline, PHMB, HCOL, Iodine, etc., and when to stop!
2–3 October 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Meet Our Featured Speaker | CNS Laura Obbes
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome – CNS Laura Obbes, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
A highly respected and internationally recognized Stomaltherapy and AWC Practitioner from Namibia, International Delegate for the WCET, Founder of Stoma Care Namibia & the Purple Dot Project, dedicated to advancing patient-centered ostomy care, who will be discussing Combining Ostomy and Wound Care in Colorectal Health.
🎤 Presentation:
Managing Complex Colorectal Patients: The Role of Integrated Stoma and Wound care
Join CNS Laura Obbes as she explores the difference in management of peristomal wounds to wound management of the surgical incision, drain sites, & dressing selection in a reduced space. Pre-operative counseling, why marking/ siting is vital to reduce future complications, facilitate all possible body movements, and why promoting early self-care is essential in an MDT approach.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
🔗 Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Meet Our Featured Speaker | Mr. Faizel Jacobs
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome - Mr. Faizel Jacobs, President of the South African Society of Ostomates, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
A colorectal cancer survivor, permanent ostomate, founding member and President of the South African Society of Ostomates (SASS). His own journey with a stoma inspired him to become a passionate patient advocate, championing the rights, dignity and well-being of people living with an ostomy across South Africa. Through SASS, Faizel works tirelessly to improve access to quality ostomy care, support and essential resources, while giving a powerful voice to the ostomy community.
🎤 Presentation:
SASSLink
Join Mr. Faizel Jacobs as he explores and introduces SASSLink – a multipurpose digital platform shaping the future of connected data-driven ostomy care. Digital development by Mr. Derrick Kaylor, and Clinical content written by RN. Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
🔗 Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Meet Our Featured Speaker | Dr. Shakeel Kader
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is honored to welcome - Dr. Shakeel Kader, Colorectal Surgeon in KZN, to the SASS 2026 National Conference.
A distinguished Colorectal & GI Surgeon, award-winning researcher, internationally trained colorectal specialist, and Honorary Lecturer at UKZN, recognised for his leadership, groundbreaking research, and excellence in surgical education will address Our Shared Responsibility as a MDT
🎤 Presentation:
Improving Ostomy outcomes through multidisciplinary care: A shared responsibility
Join Dr. Shakeel Kader as she explores pre-op screening, diagnosis, surgery, to long-term follow-up: A shared responsibility, communication gaps, referral structures, prevention of complications, reintegration back into society, etc.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
🔗 Register today: www.sass2026.co.za
#SASS2026 #StrongerTogether #ColorectalCancer #CancerAdvocacy #GlobalColonCancerAssociation #HealthcareLeadership #PatientCentredCare #CancerAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #SouthAfrica
Happy Women`s Day 🌸
Today, we celebrate every woman whose strength is seen, and every woman whose strength goes unseen.
To the women living with an ostomy: your journey may look different, but your courage, resilience, and determination inspire those around you every single day.
You are more than your diagnosis.
More than your scars.
More than your stoma.
You are mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, friends, leaders, and advocates.
Today, and every day, we celebrate your strength, honour your journey, and stand beside you with understanding, support, and hope.
Different journeys. One sisterhood. One strength. 💗
Happy Women`s Day from all of us at the South African Society of Ostomates (SASS).
#WomensDay #SASS #OstomyAwareness #WomenSupportingWomen #InvisibleStrength #StomaLife #togetherwethrive
Are You Living With A Stoma? Register With SASS Today.
Over the past few weeks, we`ve shared why South Africa`s first National Stoma Registry matters.
We`ve spoken about being counted.
We`ve spoken about advocacy.
We`ve spoken about community.
Now we have one simple question:
Are you living with a stoma?
If the answer is yes, we invite you to register with SASSLink today.
Your registration helps us:
✅ Understand the needs of ostomates across South Africa
✅ Strengthen advocacy for better care and support
✅ Improve access to appropriate products and services
✅ Build evidence for healthcare planning and decision-making
✅ Grow a stronger, connected ostomy community
The process takes less than 2 minutes.
No paperwork.
No queues.
No cost.
Just one simple step that can help shape the future of ostomy care in South Africa.
Scan the QR code or register online:
https://sasslink.co.za/register.php
Better stoma care starts with YOU.
#SASSLink #NationalStomaRegistry #RegisterToday #OstomyCare #StomaAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareEquity #SouthAfrica #BetterStomaCare #SASS
SASS Blog
What has been happening at SASS
SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards 2026
Honouring Nurses Who Change Lives Behind every ostomate’s journey is often a nurse who made an impossible moment feel manageable.A nurse who provided dignity during uncertainty.A nurse who offered reassurance, compassion, education, and hope. The SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards were created to recognise and celebrate stoma nurses who go above and beyond in supporting […]
SASS2026 Conference: Multidisciplinary Ostomy Care Conference in South Africa
The South African Society of Ostomates (SASS) will host the SASS2026 Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cape Town, bringing together healthcare professionals involved in the care and rehabilitation of people living with a stoma. The conference is designed as a multidisciplinary clinical platform, supporting knowledge-sharing across nursing, physiotherapy, biokinetics, dietetics, occupational therapy, and […]
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